The application of vector graphics means that iOS 6 Maps does not have to download map images again every time the user adjusts the view. However, the firm does not appear to have taken Google Maps' offline mode into account.

"On Google Maps, the average data loaded from the cellular network for each step was 1.3MB," Onavo said in a statement. "Apple Maps came in at 271KB - that's approximately 80% less data.

"On some actions, such as zooming in to see a particular intersection, Apple Maps' efficiency edged close to 7x."

The data analytics firm concluded that Apple Maps uses around 50% less data than Google Maps in Satellite View.